Here’s a brief clip I took today of City fans at the end of the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. A dominant day for Manchester’s Blues.
Category Archives: Gary James
Joe Mercer Plaque Unveiling – 18 November 1.30pm
Great news for those who, like me, like to see Joe Mercer recognised for his enormous contribution. There will be a blue plaque unveiled for Joe at Ellesmere Port (a town that meant so much to him throughout his life). I’ll be talking as will Susan Lea (Joe’s granddaughter), Graeme Sharp, Mike Summerbee and others. Peter Reid will do the formal unveiling. Further details below…
The unveiling will take place at 1.30pm on Thursday 18th November at Ellesmere Port Civic Centre, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0AZ. It will be great to see as many people there as possible. Please come along and help celebrate this wonderful player and manager.
Ellesmere Port was such an important place for Joe. He was born there; went to school there and continued to live there for years, even when he was a professional footballer and England international. He spent most of his life living on The Wirral and continued to visit the schools, clubs, and people of Ellesmere Port throughout. He even took the FA Cup back there when he won it at Arsenal and at Manchester City AND the European Cup Winners’ Cup when he managed to City to that success in 1970.
This unveiling deserves to be well attended because Joe achieved so much for the teams he was involved with. Ellesmere Port mattered to him and he mattered to us, so let’s celebrate his life.
Gary James and Peter Barnes Talks – Nov & Dec
Over the coming weeks Peter Barnes and I will be talking at various locations about the biography I have written on Peter. Here’s a brief rundown of the locations and dates, starting with tomorrow night (Tuesday 2nd November 2021):
Tuesday 2nd November – West Yorkshire MCFC Supporters Club (8pm; Morley Cricket Club, Scatcherd Lane Morley, Leeds LS27 0JJ)
Thursday 4th November – Castleton MCFC Supporters Club (7pm; Royle Bowling Club, 958 Manchester Road, Castleton, OL11 2TL)
Monday 8th November – Denton, plus Haughton Green, branches of the MCFC Supporters Club (Denton Conservative Club, 45 Manchester Rd, Denton, M34 2AF)
Thursday 11th November – Abbey Hey MCFC Supporters Club
Tuesday 16th November – Orrell MCFC Supporters Club (7.30pm)
Friday 19th November – Ashton under Lyne MCFC Supporters Club
Friday 26th November – Stretford & Urmston MCFC Supporters Club
Thursday 2nd December – Warrington MCFC Supporters Club
Monday 13th December – Wilmslow MCFC Supporters Club
Monday 20th December – Irlam MCFC Supporters Club
At each talk/evening we’ll be selling the book at a discounted price of £15 (cash only) and we will, of course, sign copies for those in attendance. Obviously, our diaries are pretty full with events and other activities but if you are interested in myself and where possible Peter talking about the book at your event then please contact me with details and we’ll see what we can do: gary@GJFootballArchive.com
This 372 page, colour paperback book is £16.95 (including UK postage). For those interested in buying the book but unable to attend you can order it here:
The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography – UNITED KINGDOM
Order today for £16.95 (incl UK Postage and Packaging).
£16.95
UK postage included; outside UK contact me for additional postage costs. You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.
Via Del Calcio – Anyone Know Why?
Recently I’ve been to Italy and spotted in Lucca a street called Via Del Calcio. The researcher and historian in me immediately wanted to know why. Sadly, I wasn’t in Lucca long enough to consult the local archives but I’m hoping someone out there does have the answer.
Calcio, for those wondering why I’m interested, means football, so this suggests the street used to be known for football or was named that way after a significant football related event or activity.
I’ve not yet researched the history of calico in Lucca but if anyone has or does have detailed knowledge I’d be keen to hear from them. You can post any comments in the comments area below or email me at gary@GJFootballArchive.com
I’d love to get a definitive answer. Thanks.
Historic Name That Ground – Week 17 Answer
Well, did you get the latest ‘Historic Name That Ground’… On Monday I asked ‘Can you name the ground featured in the image above? This was taken in the 1950s.’ The ground is…
Bolton Wanderers’ old Burnden Park Stadium, seen in 1952. Years later they build a Co-op store on part of that end and I remember standing there (on the terracing, not in the Co-op!) for the Nat Lofthouse Testimonial in August 1989. My first book had come out that year and as I was stood waiting for the game to start I heard a bloke in front of me say to his mate: ‘Have you seen that new book that’s come out on City?’
Immediately, my ears pricked up. This was the first time I’d overheard anyone talking about one of my books and couldn’t wait to hear what he said. His mate replied: ‘no, not seen it. I’ll have a look.’
First bloke replied: ‘I wouldn’t bother. It’s sh*t!’
Since then I’ve always been somewhat grounded about my writing and books!
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I had planned to run ‘Historic Name That Ground’ only during the close season as in previous years, but it’s proving of interest so I’ll keep it going for a little while yet. If you have an old image of a ground that you think it’d be worth including in this weekly quiz then please get in touch. They don’t have to be from the 1900s to 1960s – even ground images from the 70s and 80s may prove a challenge to identify these days. You can email me at gary@GJFootballArchive.com Thanks.
Review
Absolutely delighted with the review of the Peter Barnes Authorised Biography in the November issue of When Saturday Comes. the magazine is out this week and i love the review by Ian Farrell. Thanks to Ian, Andy and all at WSC. it really is appreciated.
Thanks Alex
The former Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Williams has been featured on BBC Radio Five Live recently and took time out to talk about my new biography of another Manchester City star Peter Barnes. You can hear what Alex had to say here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09wrmfw
While we’re talking about Barnes… Peter and I will be appearing at the Hazel Grove branch of the City Supporters Club tomorrow (5th October) at 8pm. We’ll have copies of the biography available at the discounted price of £15 (cash only) and, of course, Peter and I will be signing copies on the night. Why not come along and say hello.
I’m currently arranging visits to a number of supporters clubs over the coming months. Watch this space for details soon.
If you can’t attend any of the meetings but would like the book copies are available via all usual stockists. For example:
Thanks Reddish!
I’d like to thank Howard Burr and all at Reddish MCFC Supporters Club for making Peter Barnes & I so welcome last night. It was a great night and we really enjoyed talking about the book.
Reddish is a great branch (if you’re local and not a member then why not?) and it was wonderful to be in a room with City fans again.
Thanks for supporting the book and keep up the excellent work. Some great questions and I hope our answers encouraged a few to take a look at the book and see what it’s all about.
The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography – Available Here!
Tonight Peter & I will be talking about my new book on Peter’s life and career. At Reddish MCFC Supporters Club. If you can’t make it you can still order the book here:
United Kingdom
The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography – UNITED KINGDOM
Order today for £16.95 (incl UK Postage and Packaging).
£16.95
This 372 page, colour paperback book is £16.95 (including UK postage).
You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account. UK postage included; outside UK contact me for additional postage costs.
Here are the contents pages:
This is the life story of Peter Barnes who, at the age of 18, scored the opening goal in the 1976 League Cup final. Playing for the team he supported, Manchester City, Peter was idolised by fans and was awarded the 1976 PFA Young Player of the Year award. The following year he made his England debut and was described by one journalist as the ‘saviour of English football.’
These were the days when Manchester City won the League Cup; were runners up in the League (missing the title by a point); and were challenging in Europe but then Malcolm Allison returned as coach and within months Peter, and a whole host of international stars, were on their way out. Peter was sold for a record amount. City’s fortunes suffered while Peter carved out a new career at West Bromwich Albion (where he played for Ron Atkinson).
Another record breaking transfer to Leeds United followed, before spells at Real Betis, Coventry City, Manchester United (playing for both Ron Atkinson and his replacement Alex Ferguson) and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Written by acclaimed author Dr Gary James, this book covers the highs and lows of Peter’s life with stories about his time playing for some of the game’s biggest clubs and most famous managers. It also discusses Peter’s ongoing involvement with the sport and the significance of his family.
Oh, and if you’re wondering where the cover came from… it’s based on the packaging and advertising for the cult toy from the late 1970s The Peter Barnes Football Trainer.
If you run a book shop and would like to know more about the book please email: accounts@manchesterfootball.org
If you’re a media company interested in interviewing Peter or Gary about the book then please contact author Gary James: gary@GJFootballArchive.com
The ISBN is 978-1-9168852-0-2 and stocks are now available for book shops.
You can listen to Peter in conversation with myself about the book here:
Thanks,
Gary James
Peter Barnes Features and Sellers
I’m delighted to say there have now been a couple of features in newspapers on The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography, while it has now started to make its way into bookshops and other retailers.
The articles appeared in the Sunday Mirror (main image) and the Manchester Evening News.
Thanks to Simon Mullock and Stuart Brennan for those pieces. Both men read the book and highlighted a few stories from it. Simon discussed an incident when Peter nutmegged Maradona in a game while Stuart quoted the book extensively for a piece on Malcolm Allison. See his article for a feel for the quotes/content and so on that appear in the book:
Of course that’s only a taster of the 110,000 words and the hundreds of illustrations in the book.
You can still buy the book direct from me by using the link below, plus it has now made its way to its first bookshop (EJ Morten in Didsbury) and Ginger Wig is selling it online too. Hopefully, soon it will begin to appear in other locations and retailers.
The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography (£16.95 incl UK P&P)
372 pages, 110,000 words, 100s of illustrations… Of particular interest to fans of City, United, WBA, Leeds, Real Betis, Coventry, Tampa Bay Rowdies & England. Outside UK contact for additional postage cost.
£16.95
Gary James' Football Archive 